How to Decorate Exposed Plumbing

Paint and Decorative Coverings

• Painting exposed pipes the same color as the walls or ceilings behind them makes them disappear into the background. This works best for pipes and plumbing that lay flat against the wall surface. If the pipes are freestanding, cover them with wide ribbon then use glue to hold it in place. If the pipes carry water, use an adhesive that will not break down due to heat or condensation. Twist real or silk ivy around the covered pipes or decorate them with silk flowers.

Curtains and Screens

• Exposed pipes on walls can be easily concealed by curtains suspended from the ceiling or portable decorative screens available at furniture retailers. Choose ornamental free-flowing curtains or sheets of heavy duck or canvas secured at the top and bottom to create taut, wall-like panels.

Cabinets and Walls

• If the exposed plumbing is in the bottom half of the wall, a vanity cabinet with an open back can easily hide the pipes and provide a storage area. Pipes that run from the floor to the ceiling are easy to conceal with a tall utility cabinet with the back panel removed. Entire walls of plumbing pipes can be concealed with large pieces of plywood nailed to the wall studs and then painted, stained or tiled.

Faux Beams and Dropped Ceilings

• You can hide plumbing and pipes that run across ceilings by enclosing them with fake beams made of lightweight plastic or polyurethane. Beam choices include realistic log and driftwood designs, as well as ones that look like finished beamed ceilings. If your ceiling is high enough, a dropped ceiling that covers the entire area is easy to install and covers all of the pipes at once.

Pipe Replacement

• If the exposed pipes are old and ready to be replaced, there are attractive pipes available that add a sleek, modern touch to decor and require no concealment. Pipe finishes include brushed aluminum, copper or brass veneers, stamped designs and metal tinted in a variety of pastel shades to coordinate with the room’s paint and furnishings.